For many hunters, the fall months mean gathering their gear and heading out with a rifle or bow to wait in blinds or tree stands for some wandering animal to cross their path. After that it’s ready, aim, and fire. People from all over the country come to hunt in Missouri’s forests, where there is an abundant population of turkey, waterfowl, and especially deer. Just less than 300,000 deer are hunted each year.  The hunting industry is very big and affects both the economy and the environment. 

“Modern hunting certainly has a positive impact [on the environment],” said Jordan Poe, conservation educator at the Missouri Department of Conservation. “It is a very effective management tool and helps us balance the populations. The type of hunting we do today has never led to the risk of extinction.” 

To help regulate hunting, Missouri has a law called the Missouri Wildlife Code.

“It’s called a permissive law, which basically means you can only hunt or fish in the ways that are outlined in the law,” Poe said. “So basically everything is illegal unless they say you can do it… We also set the limits on how many animals of a certain species can be taken. And that really helps us to meet those wildlife management goals without over stressing that animal population… We do have a very strong deer population in Missouri, there is a concern that it is a little too populated. When you have that great of a population there is a greater chance of disease and running low on food… Currently in Missouri we have more deer than when the Lewis and Clark expedition came through the area. Because there are so few of their natural predators, as humans we kind of have to take on the role that the red wolf and mountain lions used to play.”

Hunting is also important to Missouri because it brings in income to the state.

“Not only people from Missouri hunt here,” Poe said, “but we have people that come from out of state as well to hunt here because it’s a good place for that activity. It is also important to note that there are taxes on certain hunting equipment that actually go toward restoring wildlife populations and managing wildlife populations, so hunting activities and the economic benefits of those hunting activities actually help wildlife and conserve the environment as well.” 

Hunting even impacts the schools. When the laws regarding hunting are violated, there can be tickets and fines. 

“MDC does not get any money from those tickets, it actually goes to the school district where the violation occurred,” Poe said. 

Hunting is not just for adults; teens at Nixa High School enjoy hunting as well. 

“[I like hunting because] it is a very peaceful activity,” Junior Gage Hasson said. “I can just be by myself with my thoughts. You really have to be pretty patient.  You’re just sitting there waiting for multiple hours on end. You can read a good book if you want. Of course, there’s a rush of adrenaline when an animal comes out, and that’s my favorite part.”

Hasson was 7 when he shot his first deer.